By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Sand mining at Badagry [Photo credit: Badagry Parrot] |
Hon. Gbenu Henugbe Joseph, Executive Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, demanded that all miners in Badagry West, a coastal district in Lagos, should halt working to avoid future environmental disasters.
The decision was made public by Solomon Zosu the SSA on information, tourism and special works, after a lengthy discussion at an exco-meeting on Wednesday.
Gbenu said, "Let me also put it on record that the ongoing mining work under the Gbaji Bridge should be distanced from the bridge to avoid collapse of the bridge.
"The Gbaji bridge is the only bridge linking the over 99 communities in Badagry West to the cities of Lagos and Nigeria, including the neighbouring countries, hence needed to be jealously protected."
The chairman called on relevant stakeholders to take the necessary steps to avert a disaster. "I am using this medium to call on all the environmental stakeholders to put a check on the life-threatening activities of the miners.
"No miner should come to the coastal area anymore," Gbenu said.
He further pointed out that, in light of what is happening in other countries such as Ghana and the Republic of Benin, where people are being displaced from their homes and injured as a result of flooding caused by mining activities, he will not close his eyes and watch his people be devastated.
The chairman declared, "Enough is enough." He did, however, advise miners in the area to make a paradigm change by investing in crop plantations that will return profits rather than mining, which is producing soil degradation and harming farming in the area.
"Anybody caught, the law will take its course," he assured.
Gbenu stated that he was aware that the member representing Badagry Constituency 1 in the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Bonu Solomon, had spoken out against this problem on the House floor.
"I am confident that our competent and proactive legislators, led by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa will do justice," he added.